Carat US is among the best Media companies out there. Everybody who works for this company is amazing and a pleasure to work with. You can't feel the hierarchy situation what undermines so many good professional connections at other companies and with more and more new business wins you have constant opportunity to grow or transfer among positions.

Cons

This industry can be demanding, and sometimes you will lose control over your life-work balance. Also, Carat is not the most generous company when it comes to compensation.

They have won a lot of lucrative contracts.They are hugely profitable.They have some very talented and skilled people.

Cons

Promotions are based on who likes you and how you play ball.Knowledge and skill are not as important as how you fit in with a dysfunctional culture.Management in my group was terrible and restructured itself into a bigger more terrible beast.No raises and reviews really mean nothing.Bonuses are "secretly" given, I know because I received one and was told to keep it quiet.Terrible HR practices.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

When you have skilled people working for you, reward them. Help them grow and you will be rewarded. Do not promote people based on your personal like for them, but on what they can do. Cut the dead weight, there were employees in senior roles that could not walk and chew bubblegum at the same time, and by all accounts were useless.

Excellent CultureYoung atmosphereFrequently free food from meetingsVery open to lateral movement if you want to try something elseHoliday partiesCarat seems to be growing and winning new accounts frequently (nice to be with a successful company)

Cons

Need to be very patient if you want to move up or get promoted. Not based enough on merit (depends on team). Some teams lack structure. Had to move desks frequently as new people were hired. Sister companies (posterscope, vizeum etc) not fully integrated. Teams are divided by client (makes sense) but if the client is hard to work with, your job will be more difficult. High turnover. You will probably end up training someone hired above you.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Great job with the company culture! Invest in people who excel and show initiative, rather than hiring from outside